SAUGUS — Balbir Singh pulled up in style to the McDonald’s on Route 1 North on Monday afternoon, stepping out of a limo and onto a red carpet surrounded by coworkers cheering him on.
The supervisor was being given a surprise party for his 40 years of dedicated service at the restaurant.
Franchise owner Lindsay Wallin and the rest of the staff were excited to celebrate Sing’s milestone.
“Forty years of service for someone who has helped shape the heart and soul of our organization,” Wallin said. “Balbir started his McDonald’s career 40 years ago, shortly after moving to the United States from India.”
Wallin noted that her father, Bob King, who was the original franchise owner, had the “privilege of working with him for the majority of that journey.”
She said her father started his legacy 43 years ago, building not just restaurants, but a true “McFamily,” built on hard work, opportunity, and loyalty.
“Many of the people standing here were part of that original team, including Balbir,” she said.
Wallin said she felt incredibly honored to carry on her father’s legacy and to work alongside the people who helped create the organization.
“Having Balbir starting his 40th year with me is something that means more than I can put into words. Today, Balbir runs four of our nine restaurants with excellence, humility, and unwavering focus on people. He doesn’t just oversee our operations. He supports our entire nine-restaurant team,” she said.
Wallin continued that Singh was known for finding “golden nuggets” within the staff and helped employees grow into future leaders.
“One of the things that I admire most about Balbir is that he has embraced our company motto of ‘Why not?’ Why not try something new? Why not grow? Why not push for better? That attitude has fueled our success and opened doors for so many of our employees,” she said.
She said Singh represents “the very best of what McDonald’s can be,” and that it was an honor to be able to recognize him for his 40 years of dedication.
Singh then received a service award, a commemorative “One in Eight” jacket, which is named after the one in eight Americans who have worked at a McDonald’s franchise, and a check for $40,000 to represent the 40 years he has worked there.
Singh said that he started working for King in 1985 in Somerville.
“I first started as crew. I worked in the kitchen and helped in the back… I tried to do everything,” he said.
He went step-by-step through the job, and his hard work led to the position he holds today, supervising multiple stores for Wallin.
“I’m really, really proud to work for this company,” he said.
